Buffaloes stun volunteer emergency courier with donation

A Devon Freewheeler was lost for words when fraternal organisation the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) announced the result of their year of fundraising for the charity.

Plymouth Provincial Grand Primo Mick Navesey handed over a cheque for the grand sum of £3,079 to volunteer rider and Operations Director of the Devon Freewheelers, Neil Gardner.

Neil said: “One of the lodges in the Plymouth Order made a donation in 2012 after I gave a talk outlining the work of the Devon Freewheelers, and I was delighted that Mick selected us as his charity of the year for 2013 when he took office.”

All RAOB Lodges in Plymouth carried out fundraising in support of the charity throughout the year, including a ‘horse racing’ event, a zip wire run and Christmas carol services.

“The cheque presentation was the culmination of Mick's year as Provincial Grand Primo. I have to say I was astonished by the amount that had been raised,” added Neil.

Mick thoroughly enjoyed catching Neil on the hop during the presentation: “I had not given Neil prior notice of what was to come at the presentation evening. His face was quite a picture! It was a pleasure to carry out fundraising for the Devon Freewheelers.”

Neil was doubly delighted when the ladies division of the RAOB, the Order of the Ladies Glades, revealed their decision to continue to support Devon Freewheelers throughout 2014, raising money through social events and a charitable sponsored walk.

Devon Freewheelers provide a voluntary emergency out-of-hours courier service to hospitals across Devon and further afield, transporting blood, human tissue and breast milk. The service remains operational entirely through donations. For more information on how to help with fundraising visit www.bloodbikes.org